聚焦思辨能力培养的高中英语写作教学

作者: 孙蓉蓉

《普通高中英语课程标准(2017年版2020年修订)》将英语思维品质定义为“思维在逻辑性、批判性、创造性等方面所表现的能力和水平”。

批判性思维又称思辨,是一种高阶思维品质。英语写作是一个高强度的思维活动过程,从文章的构思到产出都有思辨能力的融入。因此,英语教学活动的设计既要包含语言输入活动又要包含语言输出活动,先输入再输出。教师在制定教学目标时要设计循序渐进的教学活动,由低阶思维的训练逐渐过渡到高阶思维的培养。

本节课选用2019版人教版高中英语必修三Unit 4 “Space Exploration”中Reading for Writing的语篇。写作教学应该挖掘语篇材料,把读写训练有机结合起来。通过阅读启发思辨,通过思辨促进写作,形成“先读后思再写”的教学模式。

该阅读文本是一篇典型的议论文,采用了“总—分—总”的论述结构。学生学习后,能够:1.理解太空探索的意义和价值,分清作者的论点和论据;2.掌握议论文的基本结构和语言特点;3.运用所学知识,针对是否支持太空探索这一话题写一篇格式规范的议论文;4.分析和评判太空探索的不同立场和态度,以全面发展的观点来评判科技发展所带来的利与弊,培养思辨能力。

Step 1: Warm up & Pre-reading

教师以问题 “Why do humans explore the space?”导入。学生回答后,教师播放介绍中国航天发展的视频,并提问:

1.What are the astronauts doing in this video?

2. How many years did it take China to launch the first manned spacecraft after the launch of Dong Fang Hong-1?

3. How much money did China invest in Space exploration in 2020?

最后,借助赞比亚修女Mary Jucunda写给时任美国宇航局(NASA)马歇尔航天飞行中心科学副主任Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger中的一句话启发学生的讨论与思考:“Is it wise to spend billions of dollars on a voyage to Mars when so many children on Earth were starving?”激活学生的与话题相关的背景知识,激活批判性思维,为后续的思维训练做铺垫。

Step 2: Reading

活动1:浏览全文,宏观分析文本结构

Find out the writer’s answer to the question “Is space exploration a waste of time and money?”

Figure out the structure and underline the topic sentence in each paragraph, and summarize its main idea.

活动2:分段阅读,理解作者的论证方法

How does the writer persuade readers to support space exploration?

活动3:How to persuade readers logically?

Writing Techniques:Show a cause-and-effect relationship

Language Features:because (of) ...; lead to ...; result from/ in ...; as a result, therefore ...

Writing Techniques:Give examples

Language Features:for example; for instance; such as ...

Writing Techniques:Make a comparison or contrast

Language Features:compared with...;

in comparison/ contrast to ...; by comparison/ contrast

活动 4:Read for logic and language

Para. 2: Firstly, ... made a difference in the fight against world hunger.(Show a cause-and-effect relationship in time order)

Para. 3: Secondly, ... promoted technological improvements that benefit us all.  (Show a cause-and-effect relationship and give examples)

Para. 4:Finally, ... helped people to think about the world’s problems and even to find ways to solve them.(Give examples)

Step 3: Summary

How to write an argumentative essay?

① Organization:

Introduction: phenomenon + (different views) + thesis statement

Body (3 paragraphs): arguments + supporting details

Conclusion: restate the thesis statement

② Logic:

cause-and-effect

examples

comparison or contrast

③ Language:

Introduction: Some people argue that ... However, ...; Although/ While some ..., the benefits of ... still outweigh its cost.

Body:

because (of) ...; lead to ...; result in ...; as a result, ...

For example/ instance, ...

In contrast/ comparison to ... ; compared with ...; by contrast, ...

Conclusion: In closing, .../ To sum up, ... / In conclusion, .../ Therefore/ Thus ...

引导学生从结构、论证的逻辑和语言特点三个方面对议论文的文体特点进行总结,加深认知,为后续写作提供素材。

Step 4: Critiquing

活动1:Brainstorming

教师要求学生4人一组选定自己的立场和观点,进行头脑风暴:

Is space exploration a waste of time and money?

For space exploration (why? ) or Against space exploration (why?)

小组讨论让组员之间的思维火花碰撞,开始进入高阶思维的训练。

活动2:Debating

Space exploration is /is not a waste of time and money. (学会有逻辑地说服他人)

教师让学生进行小型辩论,在辩论的过程中需要注意用完整的句子表达,同时用上所学的论证方法,注意语言的使用。

Positive side:It is obvious that space exploration is a waste of time and money. Firstly...Secondly...Thirdly...

Negative side: It is clear that space exploration is not a waste of time and money and the reasons are as follows. ...

Step 5: Writing and assessing

活动1:Drafting

Are you for or against space exploration?

Introduction (thesis statement)

Body (arguments + supporting details)

Conclusion (thesis statement)

学生结合语篇所学,按照议论文的结构和论证方式,依照自己的思维线索,使用恰切词汇、合适句型和写作策略进行写作输出。该环节有效地训练了学生思维的逻辑性与创造性。

活动2:Self-evaluation and peer-view

分为四个维度:Organization,Logic,Language,Others.(表略)

Step 6:Summary and Homework

从Organization和Language两方面总结本节课所学知识,巩固知识与技能。课后作业是课堂作业的延伸,也是对所学知识的回顾与内化。

责任编辑 魏文琦

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